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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Sulphur Patterns

This is a brief rundown of typical sulphur patterns and when each should be employed.

The Ever Popular Bead Head Pheasant Tail is the most common sulphur nymph pattern.

When a closer match to a sulphur nymph is necessary, a Split Case nymph is a good choice:

When sulphurs are emerging, a CDC wing emerger pattern is a good bet:

Another pattern that is good to use if the trout are taking emergers is a biot bodied sparkle dun. The hairwing allows for good flotation especially in slow moving waters, and is reasonably visible from a distance.

Sometimes the trout target the duns, and when this is the case a CDC comparadun is a very good choice. The CDC wing is easily visible and floats very well. Treating the wings with a floatant allows the wing to stay above water, but the body floats flush with surface.

Finally, the last stage of importance during a sulphur hatch is the spinner fall. Only once have I fished a spinner fall, and I was completely unprepared. Now, I have developed this spinner pattern. The body color is actually tan since the spinners of E. Invaria and E. Dorothea commonly turn a tan color before falling spent on the surface. I do not have a picture of this pattern, but there are pleny of them floating around on the internet.

Sulphurs are a key food source for trout in the late spring in the Tennessee Valley. Understanding the differences between the two species of sulphurs present on East Tennessee tailwaters, and the flies that best imitate each phase of the emergence will be a good start in finding success during this very common late spring event.

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I Am A Fishing Fanatic

An engineer by day, you will find me at my desk or at home dreaming about my next fishing adventure. My favorite method of pursuing the various species that inhabit my East TN waters is with a fly rod, but I can be found flinging hardware with a baitcast or spinning reel. I began flyfishing around 1995 at an age of 15, and learn something new each trip. I enjoy the time outdoors with friends and family, and I especially value the time I have with my wife and kids fishing and camping. My job can be a hectic one, and I have found that the most effective escape I have from the stress is to pick up a rod and disappear for a while. I have two wonderful kids who enjoy being outdoors with daddy whether it be hiking, hunting, fishing, or whatever journey we are on at the time. I look forward to taking both of my kids fishing and hunting, and trying to be as good of a father to them as my dad was to me. This blog is my attempt at documenting the various experiences we have, and to record them for my kids as they grown older. God Bless and Tight Lines.